Fig. 5.
Gain of biological function. Mutation of ZβADAR1-E3LC chimeric virus leads to Z-DNA binding and to pathogenesis in mice. Mice were infected intracranially with 106 pfu of either a ZβADAR1-E3LC chimeric virus or the chimeric virus with a I335Y mutation. The ZβADAR1-E3LC chimeric virus has no lethality after intracerebral inoculation of 106 pfu, and the ZβADAR1 protein is unable to change the CD of d(CG)6, as shown on the right. Substituting tyrosine for isoleucine at position 335 of ZβADAR1 in ZβADAR1-E3LC chimeric virus leads to significant mortality. The same mutation in ZβADAR1 protein converts d(CG)6 from the B-DNA to the Z-DNA form.